Ramla Ali

Born in Mogadishu on September 16, 1989, Ramla Said Ahmed Ali carved a path through adversity to become Somalia's first professional female boxer. Her journey began far from the ring when she fled civil war as a child, eventually settling in London where she discovered boxing at age 20. That decision launched her into history books as the first Somali woman to compete at the Olympic Games for her homeland and the first to secure an international gold medal for the country in the sport. Her achievements shattered barriers for women in a region where such visibility remains rare. Ali transitioned from the canvas to the camera with equal determination. She founded 786 Films alongside her husband, filmmaker Richard Moore, serving as director, writer, and producer starting in 2026. Through this independent production company, she focuses on stories that highlight underrepresented voices and cultural narratives often ignored by mainstream media. Her work extends beyond directing; she has also modeled and campaigned for various causes related to women's rights and refugee support. Her career spans multiple disciplines including professional boxing, modeling, and filmmaking. While she remains best known for her historic athletic feats, her shift into cinema marks a new chapter in her life. She continues to balance her role as a public figure with her creative output, using her platform to advocate for change while telling compelling visual stories.[edit]